Big B & Sanjay didn’t shoot together in ‘Shootout…’: Director
The 2007 film “Shootout at Lokhandwala” was a gritty and intense thriller that explored the true story of a real-life shootout between police and gangsters in Mumbai. The film featured a star-studded cast, including Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt, two of the most iconic actors in Bollywood. Recently, the film’s director, Apoorva Lakhia, shared an interesting anecdote from the sets of the film, revealing that the two actors never even met on set while filming together.
In an interview with a leading publication, Lakhia shared the story, “Amit ji comes at 2 pm, Sanjay comes at 6 pm. Amit ji leaves at 5:30 pm and Sanjay comes to set after finishing his lunch at 5:30 pm.” This means that Amitabh Bachchan, who played the role of Isaque Bagwaan, a police officer, would finish his shoot and leave the set by 5:30 pm, while Sanjay Dutt, who played the role of Maya Dolas, a gangster, would arrive on set only after finishing his lunch at the same time.
Lakhia’s revelation is quite astonishing, especially considering the fact that both actors were playing pivotal roles in the film. One would expect that they would have had to work together closely to film some of the film’s most intense and dramatic scenes. However, it seems that their schedules were so conflicting that they never even met on set.
The reason behind this unusual schedule is not entirely clear, but it’s likely due to the fact that both actors had other commitments at the time. Amitabh Bachchan, who was already an established superstar, may have had other projects or commitments that required his attention, while Sanjay Dutt was also busy with his other film projects. Despite their busy schedules, both actors delivered strong performances in the film, with Bachchan receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of the serious and stoic police officer.
“Shootout at Lokhandwala” was a commercial success and received positive reviews from critics, with many praising the film’s gritty and realistic portrayal of the real-life shootout. The film’s success can be attributed to the strong performances of its cast, including Bachchan and Dutt, as well as the direction of Apoorva Lakhia, who brought a level of authenticity to the film’s portrayal of the events.
The film’s success also marked a turning point in the careers of both Bachchan and Dutt. Bachchan, who was already an established actor, continued to receive critical acclaim and went on to work on several successful projects, including the critically acclaimed film “Cheeni Kum” and the hit TV series “Yudh”. Dutt, on the other hand, bounced back from a few years of mediocre performances with “Shootout at Lokhandwala”, which marked a return to form for the actor.
In conclusion, Apoorva Lakhia’s revelation about Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt never meeting on set during the filming of “Shootout at Lokhandwala” is a fascinating anecdote that offers a glimpse into the busy and demanding world of Bollywood. Despite their conflicting schedules, both actors delivered strong performances in the film, which went on to become a commercial and critical success. The film’s success can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of its cast and crew, and it remains a testament to the power of Bollywood storytelling.
